DIY upcycle wool blanket cushion

This DIY cushion is a really basic way of upcycling the quality old wool blankets that you can find at nearly any secondhand store. I got an enormous one from the Sallies store for $4. For the applique you can use an iron-on adhesive to hold it in place however I chose to just pin mine which meant the elephant is a bit puffy.

What you need:
Wool blanket
Felt
Coloured thread to match the felt, needle
Sewing machine & thread to match wool blanket
Paper scissors
Fabric scissors

Step 1

Find an image that you like that has very few fiddly bits. Search for silhouettes to find nice simple images. I picked this elephant. Print out the image and cut it out. Note: You can always skip the first two steps if you want to free-hand a design onto the felt with chalk.

Step 2

Pin your cut out to a piece of felt in your chosen colour then cut out the shape.

Step 3

Cut out your cushion pieces. I used a strip around 60cm wide and 120cm long. This will make a rather large cushion. I suggest you get your cut out shape and place it on the blanket then measure an appropriate size cushion relative to the size of your cut out. Pin your cut out in place on the right side of the cushion. If you are going to use an adhesive here, this is where you would do it.

Step 4

Get your matching thread and your needle and blanket stitch all the way around your shape. This is why you don't want too many fiddly bits on your shape as it could prove tricky!

Step 5

Turn your cushion wrong side out and fold over so you have a square. Pin your sides together ready for sewing. Make sure you mark a gap on one side where you will leave it open for stuffing.

Step 6

Sew your sides together and then turn the cushion right side out so you have your (almost finished) square. Now for the fun bit! Grab handfuls of hobby fill and stuff through the gap you have left. There is no rule here on how much you stuff in but do make sure it is pushed right into the corners. Fold in the rough seams of your little gap and sew together. Depending on the capability of your sewing machine you may need to hand sew this part as it's pretty chunky. You're done!

five favourite things friday

Hurray! A long weekend approaches and I'm chill. It's Waitangi Day on Monday in New Zealand, a commemoration of the signing of the treaty between the british empire and the maori. The Treaty of Waitangi is the founding document of the country and an opportunity for us all to watch the Sevens, go to the beach, have a bbq and watch politicians waxing lyrical on television. So, lets kick on. Here are my five favourite things this week.

If the weather holds tomorrow I'll be moving, breathing and relaxing my way to a peaceful Saturday with Yoga in the Park. It's free, just bring a mat. See you in the gardens at 10am.

The weather has been overcast and chilly for the last few days. It reminds me of this moody Feist video. It makes me groove. Check out her My Moon My Man clip, aren't those airport travelators so much fun?!

Throw the old water crackers on the compost theres a new snack in town. I'm nuts for these walnut oat crackers! Quince paste and camembert. yum gurgle drool. Freaking terrible photography sorry (It's Friday night, gimme a break).

Source: Uploaded by user via Sam on Pinterest

I have a crush on Aubrey Plaza, the queen of deadpan. Parks & Recreation, Portlandia & Scott Pilgrim. Girl, you're too cool.

Since I'm talking about female artists I love, I can't really go past this classic. A glass of pinot, a cold evening inside and good speakers is all you need to slowly melt into a Tracy Chapman moment. Not even that. Just close your eyes and listen.

Happy Friday Ladies of the world.

a dog's bed

So this is how our wee Lucy used to sleep in the afternoons...

But after a bit of sewing and stuffing she can now sleep like this...

 or this..

or even like this!

I put her cushion together by folding in half a length of fabric and then sewing around the sides (like a large cushion). I then sewed the internal square, leaving a little gap to stuff it. After filling the inner section I sewed that up and then stuffed the outside and finished the end seam. I'm so glad the little lady likes it and it's a lot cheaper and colourful than the $50 ones at the pet shop! I think she's having dog dreams about playing with her friends Max and Vader at the park and I know she hopes her big bodyguard Vader gets better soon.

fft friday

ooh look at me abbreviating! In all honesty I just couldn't be bovered writing it out. I'm rather tired, this week has been a serious shock to the system. I have struggled getting back into the old routine in the office. My body is still getting used to work shoes, early mornings and the desk chair. I'm sure it gets easier.
So, let's get on with it shall we? Here are my favourite things from this week.

Source: belleandboo.com via Susan on Pinterest

Flights to Wellington for the arts festival in February! Planning new holidays when you get back to work is the BEST.

Source: instructables.com via Alice on Pinterest

Sugar. Sometimes sugar just makes everything better. Sure, the crashes aren't neat, and your teeth resent you but gummy bears definitely improve my mood on the afternoon slog.

Source: cutlerycorner.net via Frank on Pinterest

Ok so here it goes. I'm a nerd. *Deep breath* I like fantasy novels. I'm talking more than Harry Potter here, they've got elves, magicians, portals to other worlds, political drama in far away lands and epic struggles between good and evil. I have been devouring the Raymon E Feist Riftwar Saga. Shame on me.

Source: restyledhome.blogspot.com via Diana on Pinterest

Caravans. I spend an abnormal amount of time looking at pictures of caravans online. They are cute, compact little home away from homeses. I particularly like this one I found on pinterest.

Source: goodmorningandgoodnight.com via Becky on Pinterest

We've had some moisture down our way this week and I have to say I have loved being woken up by a heavy downpour and watching the garden thrive. Rain is rejuvenating and relaxing, even though it's meant to be summer.

mini break

Now that I'm back to the office grind I thought putting up some pics of our weekend would be a nice way to rid myself of the back-to-work blues. Here is a wee montage of our mini break at the top of the South Island.

the view from our bedroom at the beach house

lake rotoroa, a stop worth making

the sandflies were out of control

what a view

the house we stayed at in Riwaka was i.n.c.r.e.d.i.b.l.e

little kaiteriteri

C's beach feet

my beach feet

five favourite things friday

This week moved so quickly, we have been hosting some guests, I have been starting to work on the sly during my holidays - curse the day they invented emails on phones! and we have been walking Lucy a lot now she has had her final puppy vaccination and can't catch nasty dog diseases. Here are my five favourite things from the week....

 

Hurrah! The trailer for Moonrise Kingdom, a new Wes Anderson film. I'm such a fan of his kooky work. Especially The Life Aquatic - who doesn't like Bill Murray!? You should get the soundtrack, its David Bowie songs sung in Portugese!

Flower arranging. I was making our spare room pretty for guests. 

This great Portlandia clip my sister sent me. I love the tongue in cheek crafting and I love her red hat.

Zucchini fritters. These are in season at the mo and this is one of the most delicious ways to eat them. I'll put the recipe up soon. 

And lastly... HOLIDAYS. Pics to come after our small trip up north. Have a good weekend!

crochet slippers

Slippers are a strange thing to be making in the middle of summer as the mercury rises. I know this. But what about those of you in the northern hemisphere with chill blains? This, my friends, is for you. I love these slippers, not only are they cosy and cute they are for anyone! - C saw me making them and requested a pair too (His are the teal and mustard ones). I got the pattern from the darling Pip at Meet me at Mikes - she has GREAT crochet tutorials and many links to others online.

My cankles look a bit strange as I took off my sandals prior to taking the pic and they left little crevasses. Just so you know.

We are heading up to Nelson tomorrow for a quick trip with some of our friends visiting from Australia. One short holiday burst before I go back to the grind.